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O's Sign Aubrey Huff - 12/30/2006 1:00:00 PM - Pente The Orioles have signed to a three year $20 million contract Infielder-Outfielder Aubrey Huff. Huff immediately becomes the Orioles top offensive pickup this off season. O's Sign Minor League OF'er Jon Knott - 12/29/2006 1:00:00 AM - Hoffman After 5 years in the San Diego Padres organization, outfielder Jon Knott has signed a one-year contract with the Orioles. Gomez Returning to Orioles - 12/18/2006 1:00:00 PM - Legendre Chris Gomez and the Orioles came to terms on a one-year deal reported to be worth $850,000. He will compete with Brandon Fahey and newly acquired Freddie Bynum for the utility role. Devil's Advocate - 12/11/2006 11:00:00 AM - Gray I know it’s a difficult task to write about the Orioles these days (years) without any agenda. Blast the owner (again); defend the general manager team (again); make a case for optimism or pessimism (and claim to equate one or the other of these, but never both, with "realism")… O's Agree to 2-Year Deal with Payton - 12/9/2006 1:00:00 AM - Legendre The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Orioles have orally agreed to a two-year deal worth around $9.75 million with free agent outfielder Jay Payton pending a physical. O's in the Free Agency Market - 12/8/2006 12:00:00 PM - Pente With an insane market almost coming to a close, the Orioles don't have a lot left to help improve their club in 2008. However, there are still a few possible players that could help. Rule 5 Draft Activity - 12/7/2006 1:00:00 PM - Legendre The Orioles selected Alfredo Simon in the Rule 5 Draft and traded him to Philadelphia for catcher Adam Donachie. While the Yankees selected first baseman Josh Phelps in the big league portion and they lost Kendy Batista to Texas and Lorenzo Scott to Florida in the minor league portion. Lastly, Baltimore sent Kevin Hart to the Cubs to complete the Freddie Bnyum trade. O's Trade for Bynum, Officially Sign Bako - 12/6/2006 1:00:00 PM - Legendre Baltimore sent a player to be named to the Cubs for utility infielder/outfielder Freddie Bynum and finalized the deal with backup catcher Paul Bako on Wednesday. Also, Brian Roberts will be staying in Baltimore and the Orioles are trying to get Marcus Thames from Detroit. Proposed Trade: Roberts & Penn for LaRoche & Giles - 12/5/2006 1:00:00 AM - Legendre The Atlanta Braves are coveting Brian Roberts and have proposed a deal that would land them Roberts and pitching prospect Hayden Penn in exchange for power-hitting first baseman Adam LaRoche and second baseman Marcus Giles according to published reports. O's Free Agent Happenings - 12/1/2006 1:00:00 PM - other The Orioles have brought back a veteran so far this off-season and bolstered their bullpen with 3 fresh faces. O's Minor League Managers & Coaching Staff Named - 12/1/2006 1:00:00 PM - other The Orioles today named their minor league managers and coaching staffs for the 2007 season along with the announcement that they will add a minor league team in the Gulf Coast League. Highlights include Bien Figueroa (pic) moving up to manage the Bowie Baysox and Gary Allenson returning to the organization to manage Norfolk. Off-season Shorebird Report: Part II - 11/26/2006 1:00:00 PM - Shorebird Doc Takes a detailed look at Brandon Erbe's delivery and maturation from a thrower to a pitcher this year. He talks with his pitching coach and includes 19 pictures. Perfect Platoon or Lee? - 11/24/2006 11:00:00 PM - Pente There seems to be a prevailing theory on the board that a platoon could put up Carlos Lee-type numbers out in left field. However, only the perfect platoon under perfect conditions could match what Lee will produce. O's agree to terms with J.Walker - 11/13/2006 1:00:00 AM - Folkemer The Orioles began the restructuring of their unreliable bullpen, agreeing to a three-year contract with lefty reliever Jamie Walker. According to the Baltimore Sun, the O's will pay Walker roughly $11.5 million over three seasons. O's trade Britton for Wright - 11/12/2006 1:00:00 PM - Pente According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have agreed to trade reliever Chris Britton to the Yankees for right-handed starter Jaret Wright and cash. The 30-year old Wright was 11-7 with a 4.49 ERA last year with the Yankees. According to team sources, the Yankees will also send $4 million in cash to offset the $7 million due Wright next year. 2006 Top Prospect List - 11/12/2006 1:00:00 AM - Pente Not a bad year for 17-year old huh? Gets drafted as the number nine pick in all of baseball, hammers Appalachian League pitching before putting up a .876 OPS in a college league like the New York Penn League during Aberdeen's first ever playoff drive. He then ends it by getting named the Hangout first ever first year number one prospect. Something tells us that Billy Rowell has a pretty bright future ahead of him. Final 2006 Shorebirds Report -Part I - 11/9/2006 1:00:00 PM - Shorebird Doc delivers his final report of the year in a four part series. In part one, Doc takes a look of each player and gives his analysis of each. He also interviews pitching coach Kennie Steenstra, who breaks down each pitcher. Top 21-30 Prospects - 11/9/2006 1:00:00 AM - Pente Although he was old for his league, you can't discount the solid season but up by #30 prospect Ryan Finan. After finding Mark Fleisher at first base, Finan moved over to third base and not only had his best offensive season, but played solidly defensively as well. O's sign Minor League Free Agents - 11/6/2006 1:00:00 PM - other The Orioles signed several minor league free agents. Here's a synopsis of the noteworthy courtesy of rotoworld.com. Coaching Staff Finalized - 10/31/2006 4:00:00 PM - Legendre Manager Sam Perlozzo completed his coaching staff on Tuesday by adding two new coaches to the staff and moving a few others around. The two new coaches are Sam Mejias as first base coach and Juan Samuel as third base coach, both natives of the Dominican Republic. 2006 Top Prospect List - 10/30/2006 12:00:00 PM - Hoffman The 2006 Top Prospect List is right here. 2006 Top 11-20 Prospects - 10/26/2006 1:00:00 AM - Pente A lot of folks forgot about Ryan Keefer after he missed most of the 2006 season after having bone chips removed from his elbow. However, by the end of the season, this hard throwing right-hander was back on track at Bowie, and he will head the the AFL to pick up some lost 2006 innings. He comes in as the number 20 prospect and could be in Baltimore sometime in 2007. It's over! O's close '06 with 9-0 debacle - 10/1/2006 1:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles brought down the curtain on 2006 with a game fittingly representative of their season: a sloppy, soggy, embarrassing, often-unwatchable mess. In a contest that lasted only five innings, the O’s still managed to lose by nine runs, thanks to one last Hayden Penn (pic) disaster and an uninterested offense that was no-hit by a rookie making his second major-league start. It seemed the Orioles-- echoing the sentiments of most of their fans-- couldn’t wait to bring this interminable, arduous campaign to a halt. The 9-0 loss to the Red Sox closed the book on the Birds’ 70-92 season, the eighth-worst in team history. Millar's ninth-inning heroics lift O's, 5-4 - 9/30/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles snapped their season-long Fenway Park drought in dramatic fashion, mounting a ninth-inning comeback to pull out a 5-4 victory. Former Sox poster boy Kevin Millar (pic) applied the dagger to his ex-teammates, delivering a two-run single to turn the tables and provide one final smidgen of Orioles Magic. The Birds squandered an early 3-0 lead on Adam Loewen’s mid-inning control problems, and seemed destined for their second straight 4-3 defeat and their eighth loss in as many games at Fenway. But Millar’s heroics, along with two shutdown innings from Chris Ray, brought a surprisingly happy ending to the next-to-last game of the year. Inopportune O's lose to Sox again, 4-3 - 9/29/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles opened their final series of the year in typically depressing fashion, coming up empty in all respects in a 4-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The Birds’ astounding futility against the Sox has reached such depths that they couldn’t even win by matching up their ace against an emergency fill-in scrub veteran starter. Both Erik Bedard and Julian Tavarez allowed 11 baserunners in five innings, but the Red Sox took advantage of their opportunities while the O’s proved useless in the clutch, as always. The Orioles stranded 10 runners on base-- including six in scoring position-- squandered the bases loaded twice, and grounded into three double plays to punctuate their pitiful offensive effort. In more memorable news, Miguel Tejada (pic) set a new single-season O’s hits record with his 212th. Whoa!! D-Cab nearly tosses no-hitter - 9/28/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer On an incredible night at Yankee Stadium, a phenomenal Daniel Cabrera (pic) came tantalizingly close to baseball history, carrying a no-hitter into the ninth inning but falling two outs short in a 7-1 O’s victory. In a classic case of saving the best for last, Daniel’s final start of the season marked the pinnacle of the young right-hander’s career, providing an eye-popping glimpse of his sky-high ceiling. The dazzling Cabrera was in total command, toying with a loaded Yankees lineup like a yo-yo en route to his potentially history-making masterpiece. Only a Robinson Cano one-out single in the ninth separated Cabrera from the majestic achievement, with Daniel settling for a one-hit gem. Orioles get crushed, lose their 90th - 9/27/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles dropped their 90th game of the season-- and sure made it convincing-- with an utter debacle at Yankee Stadium, a 16-5 humiliation. What is there to say? The team is just bad. Really, really bad. Kris Benson (pic), in his final start of the year, saved the worst for last. He was disemboweled for eight runs in 2 2/3 innings, coughing up three of the Yankees’ five homers, to bring a sour end to his up-and-down debut season. Bruce Chen was an embarrassment in relief, allowing another five runs while getting just one out, and Winston Abreu completed the carnage by giving up the final three of the Yanks’ 16 runs. Early O's Scout Kubski passes - 9/27/2006 1:00:00 PM - Pente One of the architects of the early Orioles dynasty teams, Al Kubski passes away in his California home. R-Lo loses #18 as O's fall to Yanks, 5-4 - 9/26/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles opened their season-ending six-game road trip with an unsurprising, thoroughly uninspiring 5-4 loss to the New York Yankees. A showdown of the Haves versus the Have-Nots turned out pretty much as expected, with the O’s simply getting outmatched by a team cruising into its 12th straight postseason. Hayden Penn struggled with his control but wasn’t around long enough to get knocked around, as a back strain felled him in the fourth. Instead, he left the losing to the guy who does it best, Rodrigo Lopez (pic), who suffered his league-leading 18th defeat of the year. The Birds’ offense, in an all-or-nothing performance, contributed three solo homers but little else, and even manager Sam Perlozzo freed himself from the misery by getting ejected in the sixth. Tejada MVP - 9/25/2006 1:00:00 PM - Domen Miguel Tejada voted team MVP, and the Orioles sign a four-year agreement with the Norfolk Tides among a hodge podge of happenings of late. O's end home schedule with loss, 6-3 - 9/24/2006 7:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles finished their 2006 Camden Yards campaign with-- what else-- another loss, falling to the Twins by a 6-3 final. Starter Adam Loewen struggled through three innings before finding his footing, by which time it was too late for the Birds to play catch-up. Miguel Tejada (pic) celebrated his coronation as 2006 Most Valuable Oriole by blasting two homeruns, his first in more than a month, but it wasn’t enough to help the O’s avoid a losing home record for the season. The club finished 40-41 in Baltimore this year. Sloppy O's misplay their way to loss - 9/23/2006 9:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles bungled through a forgettable, regrettable 8-5 loss to the Twins. The old saying goes that pitching and defense win ballgames…and they sure as heck can lose ballgames, too. Erik Bedard (pic) suffered his shortest outing since June 1, getting tattooed for 12 hits in 4 2/3 innings, but got no help from an atrocious O’s defense that committed a couple of costly misplays. The Twins racked up an eye-popping 19 hits against six Oriole pitchers, allowing them to withstand an O’s offense that collected a knock in every inning but the ninth. The two clubs will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday, the Birds’ final home game of the year. Solid all around, O's stymie Twins, 7-3 - 9/22/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles, relishing the role of AL Central spoilers, opened their last home series of the year with a 7-3 win over the Minnesota Twins. The top five hitters of the O’s lineup went a combined 12-for-24 to lead a 15-hit offensive onslaught. Brian Roberts (pic) contributed three hits, runs, and RBIs, while Nick Markakis notched a pair of RBI doubles against his favorite foe. Daniel Cabrera took it the rest of the way with 6 2/3 quality innings before giving way to an effective bullpen, as the Birds continued to wreak havoc on a division that, sadly, isn’t their own. Free the Birds! Fans protest, O's win - 9/21/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer On an eventful, emotionally charged day at Camden Yards, the Orioles pulled off a come-from-behind win over the Detroit Tigers, 4-3. Kris Benson recovered from a rocky beginning to work through eight strong innings, but looked destined to suffer another hard-luck, run-supportless loss. Happily, Melvin Mora’s (pic) go-ahead two-run double in the eighth turned the tides and sent Birds fans home happy. Well…some of them, at least. The game was almost an afterthought in light of a nearly thousand-fan rally, as a group of disgruntled Birds backers walked out en masse to protest owner Peter Angelos. All in all, it was more than your typical afternoon at the old ballyard. Protest Brings Life to the Yard - 9/21/2006 11:00:00 PM - Pente 9/22 - Nestor's protest brings some life to a mid-afternoon September make up game. Penn terrific, 'pen horrific in 4-2 loss - 9/20/2006 8:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles closed their season series with the Devil Rays, falling short in their sweep attempt with a late-inning 4-2 loss. More important than the final score, though, was the reemergence of Hayden Penn (pic), who finally delivered a successful performance, proving my newly-coined adage that the fourth time is the charm. Penn worked 6 2/3 solid innings, holding the Rays to just two runs, but had to settle for a no-decision due to his teammates’ egregious lack of run support. Perpetual loss-magnet Rodrigo Lopez, who can’t seem to avoid getting beaten even when stashed in the bullpen, coughed up a tie-breaking two-run homer to Ty Wigginton in the eighth to take his 17th defeat of the year. Orioles overtake Rays again, 5-4 - 9/19/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles one-upped their favorite punching bag once more, beating the Devil Rays for the 13th time this year in a 5-4 squeaker. Once again, it wasn’t as much a matter of the O’s playing especially well as the Rays proving why they’re a last-place team, blowing a three-run lead to take their ninth consecutive loss. Adam Loewen picked up his sixth win despite being at less than his best, while the always-dicey bullpen required five different relievers to get the final nine outs, capped off by Chris Britton’s (pic) first major-league save. The Birds’ offense was led by a Jay Gibbons four-hit night and a notable Ramon Hernandez RBI, doing most of its damage in a four-run fifth inning that swung the tide. Bedard wins #15, Orioles top Rays - 9/18/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles, led by Erik Bedard’s (pic) 15th win, trumped the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 4-1, in the opener of a three-game series. The freefalling O’s took advantage of one of the few teams worse than themselves, riding their ace southpaw to their first two-game winning streak in three weeks. Corey Patterson’s three-run homer provided the offense, while the bullpen made things dicey in crunch time but held fast to preserve the win. If nothing else, the victory all but guarantees that the Orioles won’t finish in last place this year. So, uh, you know…that’s something to hang your hat on. O's escape with wild win in Motown - 9/17/2006 6:00:00 PM - Folkemer In an absolutely absurd, thoroughly unbelievable fiasco of a game, the Orioles somehow managed a 10-inning, 12-8 slugfest win over the Tigers. This was a game the O’s should’ve won by a mile yet had no business winning at all. The Birds twice melted down, first with Daniel Cabrera’s stunning self-destruction that erased a four-run lead, and then on Chris Ray’s second straight blown save on a game-tying two-run homer in the eighth. Yet, an O’s offense that went infuriatingly silent the previous night more than picked up the slack this time, pounding out 18 hits-- including four apiece from Chris Gomez (pic) and Ramon Hernandez-- and rallying for four 10th-inning runs to avert a three-game sweep. Offense goes AWOL, O's get shut out - 9/16/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles lost for the 11th time in 13 games, putting up a shockingly horrendous offensive performance in a 2-0 shutout loss to the Tigers. The O’s managed just six hits and squandered the few scoring opportunities they had, going 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and grounding into two double plays. The pitiful hitting display wasted a stupendous outing by Kris Benson (pic), who worked all eight innings and held the Tigers to just two runs but ended up with a hard-luck loss. O's lose...17-2?! Ugh! Ouch! Brutal. - 9/15/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer In an utter fiasco, the Orioles reached new depths of humiliation-- and that’s saying something-- with an unsightly 17-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers. The third time wasn’t the charm for a frustratingly ineffective Hayden Penn (pic), whose third start for the O’s proved just as horrendous as the first two. The rookie right-hander once again allowed seven runs, most of them during an eight-run Tigers fourth inning that buried the Birds early, while four relievers each allowed at least one run (including Winston Abreu’s five) to turn a mere loss into a total embarrassment. The O’s couldn’t pitch, couldn’t hit, couldn’t field, and basically looked like a disgruntled and mentally exhausted bunch who just want to go home and escape the torture that is the 2006 season. Don’t we all. Snakebitten O's lose to Sox again, 6-5 - 9/14/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles, forever finding new and demoralizing ways to lose, continued their appalling futility against the Red Sox in a 6-5 defeat. It was yet another case of woulda, coulda, shoulda, didn’a for the Birds, who saw a late lead come unraveled through a combination of unlucky breaks, missed opportunities, and plain old lousiness. Adam Loewen lacked his best stuff but gutted through 5 1/3 innings, only for a mix-and-match bullpen of seven relievers to give the game away. Chris Ray blew a save in the eighth on a pair of cheap hits, and Rodrigo Lopez’s (pic) control problems in the ninth handed the Sox the lead. Meanwhile, an erratic O’s offense scored five runs in one inning and zero in the other eight, including a critical game-ending double play that left the tying run at third base. O's notch rare win over Red Sox, 4-0 - 9/13/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles exorcised their Red Sox demons-- at least temporarily-- with a smooth, efficient 4-0 shutout to snap a four-game losing skid. This was the polar opposite of the series’ opening game: quick, well-played, thoroughly satisfying, and not at all akin to Chinese water torture. Erik Bedard (pic) stepped up as a stopper yet again with seven magnificent innings of dominance, allowing just two measly singles-- and no hits after the second-- to lead the O’s to their ninth shutout win. The victory was just the Birds’ second in 14 games against the Red Sox this year. O's clinch ninth straight losing season - 9/12/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer In an interminable, weird, and often-torturous ballgame, the Orioles ended up with an all-too-familiar result: another loss, 6-5, to the Boston Red Sox. A newly bespectacled Daniel Cabrera (pic) carried a shutout into the sixth, but saw it come undone on a string of bad-luck hits, followed by another Birds bullpen blowup that gave the Sox a seemingly comfortable five-run margin. The O’s offense, shut down for most of the game, mounted a phenomenal rally by plating four runs in the ninth, but stranded the tying run at third base to fall short yet again. The loss marks the Orioles’ fourth straight defeat, and their 12th in 13 games against the Sox this season. But most notably, it was their 82nd loss of the year, guaranteeing that the club will finish under .500 for the ninth consecutive season. Well, at least they’re consistent. O's melt down in 7th, lose to Yankees - 9/11/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles fell victim to yet another frustrating, snatching-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory affair, dropping the series finale to the Yankees, 9-6. The Birds’ attempt to split the four-game set looked promising for much of the night, thanks to a five-run outburst against Randy Johnson and a superb performance by emergency starter Rodrigo Lopez. But it all came undone in a calamitous top of the seventh, in which the Yanks rallied for six runs against erratic rookie Jim Hoey (pic). In the game’s most crucial play, miscast left fielder Fernando Tatis misplayed a fly ball into a game-losing, bases-clearing double. It all added up to another tough defeat for a team limping its way through the final month. Benson Scratched - 9/11/2006 6:00:00 PM - Domen Starting pitcher Kris Benson will not be making his scheduled start Monday against Randy Johnson and the Yankees after coming down with strep throat. Taking his place will be Rodrigo Lopez, who was recently demoted from the rotation into the bullpen for the remainder of the season. Penn splattered again in 9-4 O's loss - 9/10/2006 6:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles dropped a season-worst 18 games under .500, taking their 80th loss of the year in a 9-4 decision against the Yankees. Hayden Penn’s (pic) second start of the year was nearly as disastrous as the first, with the young right-hander lasting just three innings and accumulating another seven runs to his name. The Bombers blasted the homerun-happy Hayden for three roundtrippers to amass an early insurmountable lead. On the offensive end, Ramon Hernandez did all the damage, driving in all four O’s runs with a pair of homeruns in a losing cause. O's lose pitcher's duel to Yanks, 3-2 - 9/9/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer One night after a satisfying and victorious return to Camden Yards, the Orioles reverted to their losing ways with a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Yankees. The Birds’ offense was utterly stymied-- like many offenses before them-- by 17-game-winner Chien-Ming Wang, whose breakout season continued with tonight’s seven-inning gem. The O’s, just 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, did themselves no favors with their repeated failures in the clutch. The lack of run support spoiled a fantastic outing from Yankee-killer Adam Loewen (pic), whose ability to hold the Bombers to two runs was rewarded only with a hard-luck loss. Bedard snaps drought, O's bash Yanks - 9/8/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer In a joyful return to Baltimore, the Orioles delivered an emphatic tail-whipping to the New York Yankees, 9-4, to open a four-game series. Coming off a disastrous 2-7 West Coast road trip, the O’s clicked on all cylinders back in the friendly confines of Camden Yards. Erik Bedard (pic) broke his seven-game winless streak with a solid six-inning performance, and this time he finally received some run support. The Birds’ bats erupted for eight runs in the first three innings-- including homeruns from Melvin Mora, Jay Gibbons, and David Newhan-- to get the weekend series started on the right foot. Even when the game has no pennant implications, it’s always satisfying to deliver a pinstriped smackdown. Burres Up - 9/7/2006 11:00:00 PM - Domen The Orioles have purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Brian Burres from AAA Ottawa, and he's expected to join the team on Friday in Baltimore. Burres was originally claimed off waivers by Baltimore last winter from the San Francisco Giants. O's conclude West slide story, lose 8-4 - 9/6/2006 8:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles wrapped up their nightmarish West coast swing with an 8-4 loss, completing the Angels’ three-game sweep. The O’s exchanged jabs with the Angels early, trading the lead back and forth for the first five innings. A pair of Brian Roberts (pic) homeruns and a Kevin Millar blast balanced out a lackluster outing from starter Daniel Cabrera. But once the Birds’ ever-unreliable bullpen got into the act, it was all over. Chris Britton gave up the go-ahead run in the sixth-- the first of four runs allowed by the leaky relief corps-- to send the O’s reeling to their fourth three-game sweep of the year (and the first against a team other than Boston). The defeat finishes a nightmarish 2-7 road trip, as the Birds scurry back to Baltimore with their tail between their legs. O's woes continue in extra-inning loss - 9/5/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles suffered another snakebitten extra-inning loss, falling to the Angels, 5-2, on Adam Kennedy’s walkoff three-run homer in the 10th. A near-doppelganger of the previous night’s game took an interesting twist in the late innings, when the O’s twice battled back from one-run deficits to tie the game in the seventh and eighth, while Kris Benson (pic) hurled a gem. In the end, though, the Birds’ countless wasted scoring opportunities-- the club was just 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position-- came back to haunt them, setting the stage for Kennedy’s fateful blast off Julio Manon. It never fails. The Birds can scratch, and claw, and fight-- but more often than not, they’ll still end up on the wrong side of the score. Jered weaves a gem in 1-0 Orioles loss - 9/4/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles continued their uninspiring road trip with a slumbering 1-0 loss to California’s Los Angeles of Anaheim Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles, in Anaheim, California, via Los Angeles, nowhere near San Francisco. For once, Rodrigo Lopez (pic) lost a game through none of his own doing, pitching a seven-inning tour de force marred only by a fourth-inning run. But he got no help from his teammates. A lifeless O’s offense accomplished nothing against sizzling Angels rookie Jered Weaver, who combined with two relievers to hand the Birds their sixth shutout loss of the season. Penn pounded in debut; O's lose, 10-1 - 9/3/2006 7:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles were blown out of the water in the rubber game with the A’s, losing the series finale in a 10-1 embarrassment. Hayden Penn’s first big-league start of the season was an unqualified disaster, as the youngster was torched for eight runs and eight hits without even getting out of the first inning. And when you’re down by eight runs after one inning, well, it’s all academic from there. Sure enough, the offense packed it in early, getting shut out for the final eight innings and grounding into four double plays to complete an all-around disastrous day in Oakland. O's bend, but don't break, in 6-5 win - 9/2/2006 9:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles pulled out a nailbiting win over the Athletics, 6-5, narrowly averting a second straight late-inning disaster. The O’s seemed to on their way to an easy win early, jumping out to a 5-0 lead to back a thoroughly dominant Adam Loewen (pic). Yet, the club’s supposed cruise encountered some rough waters. An unjustified tongue-lashing from the home plate umpire irreparably rattled Loewen, who lost control of the strike zone and suffered a four-run A’s rally without getting an out in the sixth. Happily, the much-maligned O’s bullpen held the fort, with four relievers combining on four strong innings to preserve the ever-so-slight margin of victory. Identifying the O's needs is the first step - 9/2/2006 12:00:00 PM - Pente How close are the O's to contending? Tony takes a look at the Orioles holes and discusses possible replacements in 2007. O's throw one away in Oakland, lose 5-4 - 9/1/2006 1:00:00 PM - Folkemer In an all too familiar grabbing-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory fiasco, the Orioles suffered a stinging loss to the Oakland Athletics, 5-4. Holding a one-run edge with two outs in the seventh, the Birds’ fortunes turned for the worst when Melvin Mora (pic) uncorked a wild throw to first on what should’ve been an easy third out. The critical error extended the inning and allowed Frank Thomas to smash a heartbreaking, lead-shifting two-run homer off Todd Williams, essentially burying the demoralized O’s. Mora’s gaffe overshadowed an otherwise strong game in which he collected three hits and two RBIs, while hard-luck Erik Bedard was rendered winless again despite an effective six-inning performance. September Call Ups - 9/1/2006 12:00:00 PM - Domen The Orioles announced that a handful of players will be called up not just Friday, but throughout the weekend as minor league seasons come to an end. On Friday, OF Jeff Fiorentino will be promoted from AA Bowie. Triple-A pitchers Julio Manon and Winston Abreu have also been promoted. On Saturday it'll be Hayden Penn who gets promoted. He'll be making a start on Sunday for the Orioles, as they likely go to a six-man rotation. And after Sunday's game the Orioles expect to add pitcher Chris Britton from AA Bowie. He'll join the team in time for a series in Anaheim. Orioles end August with a loss, 7-5 - 8/31/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles slumbered their way to a series loss in Texas, dropping the rubber game to the Rangers by a 7-5 score. Daniel Cabrera’s magic from the previous two games was nowhere to be found tonight, as the enigmatic right-hander wallowed through the kind of unimpressive, control-challenged outing that has infuriated fans all too many times before. Meanwhile, an injury-ravaged, threadbare O’s lineup couldn’t get anything going until it was too late, with a last-ditch rally attempt falling short after eight innings of haplessness. The lone exception was the completely unstoppable Nick Markakis (pic), who delivered three more hits and a homerun to complete his eye-popping August. Catching On - 8/31/2006 1:00:00 AM - Domen A series of roster moves and injuries have left the Orioles, still, a bit shorthanded as they wait for rosters to expandon Friday. Prior to Wednesday's game they claimed catcher Danny Ardoin from the Colorado Rockies. The 32-year-old was hitting .193 in 35 games this year with the Rockies. He made his Orioles debut Wednesday night when starting catcher Ramon Hernandez went down with a strained back, appearing in the ninth inning. He was brought in when Chris Widger got hurt on Tuesday. O's blow lead but win in extras, 7-4 - 8/30/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles outlasted the Rangers in a whirlwind affair, pulling out a 7-4 victory in 10 innings. It was a game of ups and downs for the Birds, who plated four runs in the first inning…and didn’t score again until nine innings later, when a three-run rally broke a tie in the 10th. Miguel Tejada led the offense with four hits, Jay Gibbons (pic) delivered the go-ahead double, and new number three hitter Nick Markakis blasted another homer. On the pitching side, a strong Kris Benson saw a well-deserved win blown by his bullpen, but LaTroy Hawkins restored order with a pair of scoreless innings to earn the victory. Newhan Activated - 8/30/2006 4:00:00 AM - Domen Before the first game of their series in Texas, the Orioles activated OF/IF David Newhan. A spot on the roster opened up following the trade of Jeff Conine earlier this week. Newhan entered the game after an injury to Corey Patterson and played center field. He finished 1-3 with an RBI. Orioles wilt in Texas heat, lose 9-4 - 8/29/2006 8:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles hit the road and hit the skids, falling flat on their faces in a 9-4 loss to the Texas Rangers. Combine an erratic Rodrigo Lopez (pic) with an overanxious, flailing offense and a highly flammable bullpen, and the concoction spells certain doom for the Birds. A possibly bullpen-bound Lopez was tagged for seven runs in 6 2/3 innings, but go no help from a ragged relief corps that allowed three inherited runners to score. In the meantime, the O’s offense was stymied by veteran Kevin Millwood, who tossed his second complete game against the club this year. Ninth-inning heroics lift O's again, 5-4 - 8/27/2006 8:00:00 PM - Folkemer In a wild afternoon at Camden Yards, the Orioles celebrated their second straight walkoff win, 5-4, with Miguel Tejada’s (pic) game-winning single in the ninth completing a sweep of the Devil Rays. Dominated early by Rays rookie J.P. Howell, the Birds rallied against the Tampa Bay bullpen for a run apiece in the seventh, eighth, and ninth to overcome a two-run deficit. Jeff Conine, in what turned out to be his final at-bat as an Oriole, delivered a clutch game-tying double in the eighth, then was dealt to Philadelphia just moments after the game. Meanwhile, strong O’s defense and relief work bailed out less-than-stellar starter Adam Loewen, making possible the Birds’ second sweep of the year. Conine Traded to Phillies - 8/27/2006 5:00:00 PM - Legendre During Sunday's game the Orioles completed a trade sending Jeff Conine to the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named later. Hernandez delivers walkoff in 3-2 win - 8/26/2006 10:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles enjoyed a walkoff win against the Devil Rays, stealing a 3-2 victory on Ramon Hernandez’s ninth-inning RBI single. This was a game that, for seven or eight innings, it appeared the Birds had no business winning. A less-than-his-best Erik Bedard was tagged for a surprising 11 hits, but he impressively gutted through seven innings and minimized the damage to two runs with help from a few key defensive plays. In the meantime, the infuriatingly aggressive Birds’ offense got themselves out on all too many reckless first-pitch hacks, but homers by Nick Markakis and Jeff Conine kept the team in the game and set up Ramon’s last at-bat heroics. Cabrera impresses again, O's win, 4-0 - 8/25/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles opened the battle of the divisional also-rans with a highly satisfying 4-0 shutout of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. A resurgent Daniel Cabrera (pic) enjoyed his second straight flawless start, allowing just three walks and no extra-base hits in seven shutout frames, to run his scoreless-innings streak to 16. In the meantime, the O’s offense-- giving new meaning to the term “productive outs”-- squeaked out four runs without a single RBI hit, taking advantage of two sac flies, a run-scoring groundout, and an error. Chris Ray retired all five batters he faced for the extra-distance save, capping the Birds’ eighth shutout victory of the season. Boffo Boof baffles Birds in 11-2 loss - 8/24/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles belly-flopped in the rubber game against the Twins, losing the series by suffering a miserable 11-2 blowout. The game started out eerily similar to the previous night’s-- with an O’s starter getting torched for double-digit hits, while the Birds’ bats went silent against a little-known rookie-- and only escalated in its unwatchable grimness. Kris Benson (pic) failed to make it out of the fourth inning and coughed up six runs, while relief arsonists Bruce Chen and Russ Ortiz were tagged for another five, leading the Twins to their finale laugher. The ample run support backed Minnesota starter Boof Bonser, who delivered the finest outing ever against the Birds for a guy named “Boof.” Hoey Up - 8/24/2006 4:00:00 AM - Domen Hoping to bolster what has been a struggling bullpen, the Orioles called up reliever Jim Hoey from AA Bowie on Wednesday. The 6-8 flame thrower had racked up nearly 30 saves in the minor leagues this season, beginning with his tenure in Delmarva. Unlucky 13: hit-happy Lopez, O's lose - 8/23/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles fell back to earth after Tuesday’s fireworks display, dropping a snoozer to the Twins by a 4-1 score. Rodrigo Lopez (pic) was knocked around for a galling 13 hits in six innings-- including, in all fairness, several broken-bat bleeders and nubbers-- and the Twins made their early lead stand up. Rookie Matt Garza stymied the Birds for six strong innings for his first major-league win, getting support from phenomenal Twins defense and three perfect innings from the bullpen. The O’s offense couldn’t get anything going, managing only five hits-- all singles-- in taking their 70th loss of the year. Penn To Make Six? - 8/23/2006 12:00:00 PM - Domen The Baltimore Sun suggested on Wednesday that pitcher Hayden Penn is likely to be the sixth pitcher in the Orioles' rotation come September when rosters expand from 25 to 40. Nick's three jacks, Adam's gem lead O's - 8/22/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles opened a three-game series with a dazzling 6-3 win over the Minnesota Twins, led by the rookie brigade of Nick Markakis and Adam Loewen. On this fantastic night, the Birds’ future looked as bright as it’s ever been, thanks to the stupendous performances of the club’s freshman duo. The only question is, which was the more remarkable performance? Adam’s eight-inning, one-run masterpiece in which he retired the last 21 batters he faced? Or Nick’s unprecedented power display in which he bashed not one, not two, but three homeruns? One thing’s for sure-- if their youngsters keep playing like this, the O’s will be an extremely fun team to watch for years to come. O's bats go away on Halladay in 9-2 loss - 8/20/2006 6:00:00 PM - Folkemer In a clunker of a series finale, the Orioles’ sweep attempt was thwarted by Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays in a 9-2 loss. A battle of aces between Halladay and Erik Bedard (pic) turned into a rather one-sided affair, as the former carried a perfect game into the sixth inning while the latter was bashed for seven runs. A grievous non-call on a would-be first-inning strikeout seemed to rattle Bedard’s cage, with the southpaw ultimately falling victim to two homeruns, a squeeze bunt, and a costly throwing error in allowing his most runs since May. Halladay took it the rest of the way with a dominant seven-inning performance, notching his league-leading 16th win. A Plan for the O's - 8/20/2006 1:00:00 PM - Pente 8/20 - With the MASN deal in place, it's time for the O's to reconnect to their fan base. Here's a plan to get back to a first class organization that fans will connect to again. D-Cab dominates, bats boom in big win - 8/19/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer It took until the middle of August, but the Orioles finally marked their first four-game winning streak of the season with an incredible 15-0 pasting of the Blue Jays. It’s rare that an offense could explode for more than two touchdowns’ worth of runs and not even be the biggest story of the game. Such was the case today, however, as Daniel Cabrera (pic) trumped all other heroics with perhaps the finest masterpiece of his big-league career, tossing a five-hit, 10-whiff shutout in his utter domination of the Jays. His teammates made life easy for him by erupting for seven runs in the first inning, five in the seventh, and three in between. Kevin Millar led the charge with five RBIs, while homers by Nick Markakis, Miguel Tejada, and Brian Roberts hastened the destruction. It was, all in all, one of the most one-sided, thoroughly overpowering games in franchise history. O's, Benson cruise past Blue Jays, 7-2 - 8/18/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles opened a nine-game homestand with an easy, efficient victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-2. Continuing the momentum from their demolition at Yankee Stadium, the O’s jumped out to a 6-0 lead after two innings and cruised the rest of the way, tying their season high with their third straight win. The Birds’ recently rejiggered top of the lineup continued to pay dividends, as 2-3-4 hitters Nick Markakis, Melvin Mora, and Miguel Tejada collected three hits apiece, scoring five runs and driving in five. An effective Kris Benson (pic) took it from there with seven solid innings to collect his first victory in two months. O's spank Yanks 12-2, win series - 8/17/2006 7:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles, in one of their most delightful, giddily satisfying blowout victories of the year, delivered a 12-2 tail-whipping to the Yankees in the rubber match of the three-game set. For as bad as the Birds have looked most of the season, they were world-beaters on this magnificent day, humiliating the Yanks on their home field and notching their first series win in three weeks. Absolutely everything went the Orioles’ way for once, from Rodrigo Lopez’s superb seven-inning performance to a blistering offense that made the most of its nine hits. The O’s nearly homered for the cycle-- with a Brian Roberts solo blast, a Fernando Tatis two-run shot, and a Nick Markakis (pic) three-run dinger-- in its delectable feast on Yankee pitching. Even if the Orioles end up with 90 losses this year, we can always look back on today’s festivities and smile. Hallelujah! Orioles win nailbiter, 3-2 - 8/16/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles released their pent-up frustrations with a hard-fought, tooth-and-nail, squeaker victory over the Yankees, 3-2. Rookie Adam Loewen (pic) played the role of stopper with his second gem against the Yanks in the last two weeks, but he couldn’t breathe easy until the much-maligned Birds bullpen redeemed itself with 3 1/3 superb scoreless innings. Four relievers wriggled themselves free of numerous Yankee rallies, and closer Chris Ray exorcised his pinstriped demons with an impressive two-inning save. On the offensive end, the O’s scored one run apiece in the first three innings and made it stand up, with new #2 hitter Nick Markakis blasting his sixth homerun. The tense win snaps the Birds’ five-game losing streak and sets up a Thursday afternoon rubber game. Snyder Out - 8/16/2006 1:00:00 PM - Domen Catcher Brandon Snyder, last year's first round pick is slated to have surgery to fix a torn rotator cuff, following a second opinion that confirmed the tear. The shoulder in question is his left, non-throwing shoulder, which could make his recovery a little faster. Right now it's estimated that he'll need nine months to recover. Same sad song: O's lose late to Yanks - 8/15/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles ran their losing streak to five with another bitter loss to the New York Yankees, blowing a late-inning multi-run lead in a head-shaking 6-3 defeat. This is far from the first time “bitter loss” and “Yankees” have appeared in the same sentence when it comes to the Birds, who have now seen the Bombers rally against their bullpen four times this year. A masterful outing by starter Erik Bedard was erased the moment he handed the ball to his relief corps in the seventh. LaTroy Hawkins (pic) needed just two batters to erase a two-run lead, Tim Byrdak allowed the go-ahead hit, and Chris Britton was tagged for two insurance runs in the eighth to complete the bullpen’s misery. All in a day’s work for a team spiraling hopelessly out of control. Sox slam, sweep away hapless Orioles - 8/13/2006 7:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles were swept away by the Red Sox in a wildly madcap yet typically depressing 11-9 loss in the finale. The O’s were in a constant battle with themselves, as a prolific brigade of bats did everything they could to keep the game competitive, while a frustratingly off-kilter pitching staff sabotaged their offense’s efforts at every turn. Daniel Cabrera’s (pic) second start since his return was a dreary disaster that recalled all of his usual agonizing struggles, resulting in a seven-run debacle that included the Birds’ 10th grand slam allowed this year. Three scrap-heap relievers each allowed a run, giving the Sox more breathing room to withstand the Orioles’ 14-hit, three-homer attack. The O’s made things interesting in the ninth, plating a pair of runs to pull within two, but stranded the bases loaded to fall to 1-11 against Boston this year. O's Waste Lead, Lose Again To Boston - 8/12/2006 7:00:00 PM - Domen Things started off great for the Orioles, but if only the first half of the game counted then perhaps they'd get credit for a win. But that's not how baseball works. Instead the ending ruined what had otherwise been a nice outing for Kris Benson, and included some instances of solid relief and others that weren’t so nice. It saw Brandon Fahey make two mental mistakes, though in fairness they were aggressive mistakes made trying to salvage a win, and manager Sam Perlozzo use Bruce Chen against the heart of the Sox while his best reliever, Chris Ray, sat and watched from the bullpen in the outfield. It was frankly a game that the Orioles should have won. Instead they’ll enter tomorrow’s game hoping to avoid a sweep on the road. Red Sox beat up on O's - 8/11/2006 1:00:00 PM - Pente David Wells shut the O's offense down while Adam Loewen was unable to build upon his solid outing last time out allowing six runs in just two and a third innings as the Red Sox beat up the O's 9-2. The Orioles are now 12-28 in games started by a left-hander. O's On Sour End Of Pitching Duel - 8/9/2006 1:00:00 PM - Domen Erik Bedard has been one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB lately, but on this particular Wednesday he was just a bit less dominant than former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay, who tossed 7 1/3 innings and allowed just three runs and eight hits in a 4-3 win over Baltimore. Halladay ties the major league lead with 14 wins for the season. B.J. Ryan tossed the final inning and two thirds for his 26th save. Cabrera sharp as O's beat Blue Jays - 8/8/2006 1:00:00 PM - Pente Daniel Cabrera (5-7) allowed just two runs, one earned, on five hits in seven innings to lead the O's to a 8-4 win. Cabrera struck out seven and tied a season low with just one walk. Nick Markakis hit a opposite field three-run bomb and singled in a another to drive in four on the night. Cabrera Up - 8/8/2006 1:00:00 AM - Domen After just a handful of starts at AAA Ottawa, the Orioles will bring back pitcher Daniel Cabrera from the minor leagues and start him later today in Toronto. Cabrera was 3-1 with the Lynx, with his last outing including six shutout innings. To make room the O's, inexplicably even, sent Winston Abreu back to AAA Ottawa. It comes at a time when Russ Ortiz is far and away challenging for the title of worst Oriole pitcher ever to continuously make starts. He's made 10 starts (11 total appearances) this 2006 season and hasn't won a single one of them. Jays Hammer Orioles 8-1 - 8/7/2006 1:00:00 PM - Domen Russ Ortiz retired nine hitters, but faced 21 over three plus innings. In that time he gave up nine hits while surrendering three more walks in giving up six runs. He didn’t strike out anyone, but did allow two home runs. So much for that mechanical adjustment he and pitching coach Leo Mazzone discovered, huh? Minor League Report Aug 6th - 8/6/2006 2:00:00 PM - Pente A look through the minors as of Aug 6th. Yanks Homer Past O's 6-1 - 8/6/2006 1:00:00 PM - Legendre Rodrigo Lopez gave up four, four solo homers to the Yankees today in a 6-1 loss. Derek Jeter, Johnny Damon, Miguel Cabrera and Jason Giambi all teed off Lopez in today's game. Nick Markakis singled in Jeff Conine for Baltimore's only run in the loss. Loewen, Orioles Shutout Yankees 5-0 - 8/5/2006 1:00:00 PM - Legendre Adam Loewen pitched six and a third one-hit innings to lead Baltimore to the 5-0 shuout over the Yankees. Miguel Tejada went three-for-four in the game with a double and two runs scored and Brian Roberts had the big hit, a two-RBI single in the second, which turned out to be more than enough for the victory! Benson DL'ed - 8/5/2006 1:00:00 PM - Domen The Orioles put pitcher Kris Benson on the disabled list Friday night, and activated pitcher LaTroy Hawkins from the bereavement list. Yanks Nip O's 5-4 - 8/4/2006 11:00:00 PM - Pente Jorge Posada broke a 4-4 tie in the 9th with a monumental home run off Orioles closer Chris Ray to send the Yankees to a 5-4 win over the O's. Fernando Tatis was given a start in right field and responded by going 2-for-4 with a home run off Randy Johnson to leda the offense. Javy Lopez Traded to Boston - 8/4/2006 1:00:00 PM - Pente The O's have traded disgruntled Javy Lopez to the Red Sox. Bedard Loses First In Nearly Two Months - 8/2/2006 7:00:00 PM - Domen No question about it, today was a hot one. Expecting peak performance out of anyone, the pitching, the hitting, whatever, would be somewhat unreasonable. And yet on this day, when the game time temps were 102 degrees at Camden Yards, the Orioles got outstanding pitching from Erik Bedard and the bullpen but still floundered in a 2-1 loss to Seattle. It was yet another series at home the Orioles lost, and the first game Bedard lost since way back on June 11th. Pitching Dominates In 2-0 Win - 8/1/2006 1:00:00 PM - Domen The hero of the night was Rodrigo Lopez, who tossed 7 2/3 outstanding shutout innings of baseball, leading many to ponder just where such outings had been all season in a 2-0 win at home against Seattle. Lopez needed just 82 pitches, which in the oppressive heat that's covering about half the country was plenty, to dispatch of Seattle. He allowed just four hits and didnt' walk a batter while striking out five. No Trades Made - 8/1/2006 1:00:00 AM - Domen The Orioles ultimately stood pat again as the non-waiver trading deadline came and went. The biggest name mentioned had been Miguel Tejada, but he expressed relief and happiness to remain in Baltimore. He also told The Sun that he would not demand a trade in the offseason either and that he wanted to win in Baltimore. Houston, Los Angeles, and Texas had all discussed deals. Mariners Hammer O's 10-5 - 7/31/2006 11:00:00 PM - Pente After another trading deadline came and went with the Orioles doing nothing once again, it seemed only fitting that the Orioles would jump out to a 3-0 lead before watching the Mariners come back for a 10-5 win. Adam Loewen deserved a better fate but the bullpen took a close game and made it a debacle. O's Rally To Win - 7/30/2006 11:00:00 PM - Gray In this case the Birds battled all odds to pull the game out, after doing everything in their power to give it away. The AP game report supplies those breathtaking odds: “Before Sunday, Baltimore was 2-51 when trailing in the ninth inning. Chicago was 51-1 when taking a lead into the ninth.” I won’t even attempt to multiply those odds to arrive at the improbability of what hero Javy Lopez and the rest of his Oriole batmates accomplished. On second thought, how about 9436.7346938859 to 1? No, wait, I forgot about Jenks. “Jenks had converted 19 straight save opportunities and was an AL-best 28-for-29 (96.6 percent) this season.” So if we just multiply the previous number by 96.6, we get approximate odds of 911, 589 to 1. But wait; Jenks had 19 straight, so that’s an infinite number . . . Okay, I give up. But you get the idea. It was an impossible comeback, but it happened. ChiSox Win Wild 13-11 Game - 7/29/2006 1:00:00 PM - Legendre Twenty-four runs, thirty-seven hits, one error and twenty-one men left on base. It was a wild game at Camden Yards on Saturday, a steamy 97 degrees, the stands almost 3/4 full and the Orioles playing the defending World Series Champions. It was also the first big league start for Jim Johnson; he was living the dream. But the dream quickly turned into a nightmare, the nightmare almost turned into a great comeback victory. But in the end, it was an explosive loss for the Orioles. Various topics - 7/29/2006 1:00:00 PM - Pente 7/29 - Tony covers the Tejada situation, Daniel Cabrera, looks through the minors and tells you of a former number one prospct that is back on the prospect scene. O's lose heartbreaker to ChiSox, 6-4 - 7/28/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles suffered a heartwrenching loss to the Chicago White Sox, giving away a two-run lead in the ninth inning en route to a 6-4 loss. In the opener of a three-game series, the O’s seemed to have everything going for them: a gutsy outing by newfound ace Erik Bedard, who left in line for his eighth straight win; a trio of RBI doubles, including two from Miguel Tejada, to grab an early lead; and a raucous, floppy-hat-wielding crowd at Camden Yards to cheer on the Birds’ every move. Only one thing didn’t work out as planned: the ending. Closer Chris Ray (pic) melted down in the ninth, coughing up a grand slam to injury replacement Ross Gload-- who hadn’t homered in two years-- to leave the Orioles stunned. I suppose there’s a reason the Sox are defending World Series champions, while the O’s are 10 games under .500. JJ Johnson Up To Start - 7/28/2006 1:00:00 PM - Domen The Orioles will be skipping Kris Benson's start this weekend as he tries to deal with a bout of tendonitis. Taking his place this Saturday will be J.J. Johnson, who had been scheduled to start for AA Bowie O's go all-out to finish off Royals, 6-4 - 7/27/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer In the rubber match of the three-game set, the Orioles used all the ammo in their arsenal to outlast the Royals, 6-4. Determined to avoid an embarrassing series loss, skipper Sam Perlozzo managed as if this were the seventh game of the World Series, using six relief pitchers and nearly emptying his bench to finally finish off the ever-resistant Royals. Rodrigo Lopez (pic), in what may have been his final start as an Oriole, miraculously gave up just two runs despite allowing 11 hits, while Perlozzo mixed-and-matched his relievers to struggle through the final four innings. The O’s offense, conversely, made the most of every opportunity, collecting six runs despite having just one batter with a multi-hit game. The Birds finish their road trip against two bad teams with a ho-hum 3-3 record, and will return home to face the White Sox. Loewen behold: Adam earns 1st ML win - 7/26/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles rebounded from Tuesday’s debacle, bouncing back from their much-deserved tongue-lashing to edge out the Royals, 4-3. The story of the night was starter Adam Loewen (pic), whose solid five-inning performance earned him his first major-league win, but not before he sweated out a late Kansas City comeback attempt against the Birds’ bullpen. A less-than-his-best Chris Ray gutted through 1 1/3 to preserve the rookie southpaw’s memorable victory. On the offensive end, the bottom of the Orioles’ lineup did the major damage, with the 6-7-8-9 hitters combining on a 9-for-16 night (led by Jeff Conine’s four hits) while driving in and scoring all four runs. Boy. It was all still a little too tense for my liking, but hey, a win is a win. Meet Keith Reed - 7/26/2006 1:00:00 PM - other An interview with former number one pick and current Ottawa Lynx outfielder Keith Reed Orioles lose to MLB's worst team, 7-5 - 7/25/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles made embarrassments of themselves in the opener of a three-game series, falling to the Kansas City Royals, 7-5. Despite facing the worst team in the majors, and despite giving an early 4-0 lead to Kris Benson, and despite being handed three runs on three errors in the first, and despite pounding out 13 hits (including four by Miguel Tejada) and putting 18 runners on base, and despite carrying a lead into the seventh, the woeful, hapless Birds managed to grab defeat from the jaws of victory. A wild Benson was tagged for a pair of two-run homers by Mark Teahen, while both the bullpen and the defense melted down in a three-run Royals eighth that decided the game. I would say the O’s have hit rock bottom, but they still have two games remaining in this series. Slammed by a Washington Post Beat Writer - 7/25/2006 9:00:00 PM - Pente 7/25 - Tony answers Jorge Arangure Jr's of the Washington Post after he rips the Hangout and Tony in his online chat today. Bedard restores order, O's avert sweep - 7/23/2006 8:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles, saving themselves from any more embarrassment than they’ve already suffered in this series, salvaged the finale of the three-game set with the Devil Rays, 4-2. Once again, the O’s relied on their stopper/ace/wunderkind/franchise savior Erik Bedard (pic), who suffered no ill effects from his food poisoning with a strong seven-inning performance. Rays starter Scott Kazmir was Erik’s equal, but his bullpen wasn’t, as the Birds scored twice in the eighth to break a 2-2 tie and back Bedard’s seventh straight win. That the O’s scored 19 runs in the first two games and lost them both, then won with a mighty output of four, speaks perfectly to the insanity that was this ridiculous series. Gibbons Begins Rehab - 7/23/2006 1:00:00 PM - Domen 7/23 - Jay Gibbons will begin a rehab assignment with AA Bowie today. O's lose unbelievable 13-12 slugfest - 7/22/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on the most insane game in the history of the Orioles-- an unfathomable 13-12 loss to the Devil Rays in which the O’s scored nine runs in the seventh inning, pounded out 22 hits…and somehow still came up short. The offense was simultaneously super-prolific and incredibly disappointing, receiving great individual performances from Corey Patterson (5-for-5), Brian Roberts (four hits) and Miguel Tejada (ditto), but also hitting into an unconscionable five double plays and failing horribly in key clutch spots to squander rally after rally. The pitching staff, meanwhile, was out-and-out horrendous. Rodrigo Lopez may well have destroyed his trade value with a fifth-inning meltdown, and selected relievers helped little with abysmal outings. The Rays posted 10 runs in the fifth-- including two Julio Lugo homeruns-- to help them withstand the Orioles’ nine-run rally two innings later. Well, you’ve got to hand it to the Birds-- they can always find the most jaw-dropping, unbelievable ways to lose a ballgame. This one truly takes the cake. Ortiz, O's pitchers collapse in 14-7 loss - 7/21/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer Behind perhaps the most abysmal start in the history of Orioles pitching, the O’s were pounded by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 14-7. In the opener of a three-game series that will go a long way to determining last place in the AL East, the Birds watched in horror as emergency starter Russ Ortiz failed to retire a single batter, instead allowing all six hitters he faced to reach base and score. The catastrophe only snowballed from there, as relievers Adam Loewen (pic) and Eddy Rodriguez coughed up another eight runs-- including a Jorge Cantu grand slam, one of four Rays homers-- to spoil a strong night for the Orioles offense. Is there any legitimate reason we can’t just end this season in July? O's catch Zs against Zito, lose 5-1 - 7/19/2006 7:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles struggled on both sides of the field as they dropped the rubber game to the Athletics, 5-1. Starter Kris Benson (pic) was unimpressive, surrendering three homeruns-- which ties his season high-- amidst a five-run, six-inning performance. The O’s offense, meanwhile, was stymied by former Cy Young winner Barry Zito, scraping across just one run for the third time in the past week. The loss drops the Birds back to nine games under .500 and completes a 3-4 homestand. They hope to bounce back on their upcoming road trip against the Devil Rays and Royals, two teams that are even worse than the Orioles. Sloppy O's left soggy in 5-4 loss to A's - 7/18/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles, seeking their first four-game winning streak of the year, were thwarted once again with a disappointing 5-4 loss to the Athletics. In a rain-marred game that stretched into the wee hours, the O’s wasted an early 3-0 lead due to a homer-prone Russ Ortiz and a control-challenged Eddy Rodriguez (pic), whose critical throwing error in the fourth provided the margin of defeat. After their early assault, the Birds’ bats went mostly silent, stranding five runners in scoring position (including the tying run at third in the ninth), while manager Sam Perlozzo’s frustrations boiled over into an eighth-inning ejection. It’s back to the drawing board for the Birds, who will have to continue their wait for a fantastic four-game streak. O's offense outlasts Oakland in 5-3 win - 7/17/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles opened a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics with an improbable 5-3 victory. The O’s weren’t exactly fundamentally sound in a game that featured a bases-loaded walk, a bases-loaded balk, a botched rundown, a steal of home, and other assorted inconveniences. Yet, when all was said and done, the Birds stayed on their feet and pulled out a victory, thanks to clutch RBI singles by Melvin Mora (pic) and Miguel Tejada to break a seventh-inning tie. The Orioles’ bullpen did a superb job again, with four solid innings in relief of an unhittable but control-challenged Adam Loewen, to lead the O’s to their first three-game winning streak since the end of May. Pitching strong again, O's blank Texas - 7/16/2006 6:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles salvaged a series split of the Rangers with a victory in the finale, 4-0. A combination of four hurlers, led by rejuvenated starter Rodrigo Lopez, delivered the Birds’ third straight sensational pitching performance. Lopez held the powerful Rangers offense to a mere five hits, all singles, while the bullpen worked 3 1/3 innings of perfect relief. On the offensive end, homeruns by Miguel Tejada and Nick Markakis (pic) provided ample run support to back the Orioles’ third shutout win of the year. The O’s hope to keep up the AL West momentum as they welcome the Oakland Athletics for three games. Like clockwork, Bedard wins again, 8-1 - 7/15/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles, once again riding the stopper status of Erik Bedard, got back on track against the Rangers in an 8-1 win. The Birds’ left-hander picked up right where he left off before the All-Star break, pitching seven brilliant innings and allowing just an unearned run for his sixth consecutive win. In the meantime, the heretofore sluggish O’s offense found itself rejuvenated-- and against a lefty, no less-- with a 14-hit, eight-run attack, including at least one hit from every starter. Ah, it’s nice to have a game like this every once in a while. Now, let’s see if we can’t do it with a bit more frequency. Offense nonexistent, O's lose again, 2-1 - 7/14/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles continued their stumble out of the second-half gate, going silent with the bats against in a 2-1 loss to the Rangers. This game wasn’t what you’d call a barnburner-- case in point, all three runs scored on ever-exhilarating sacrifice flies-- but was notable for a sensational (yet wasted) performance by Kris Benson (pic). The veteran dominated the Rangers with a complete-game, four-hit masterpiece, only to be abandoned by a hapless O’s offense, which was held to one meager run for the second night in a row. The Birds dropped to 10 games under .500, matching their season worst. With the trade deadline fast approaching, they can’t start overhauling this uninspiring team fast enough. Two Up, Two Down - 7/14/2006 1:00:00 PM - Domen The Orioles shook up the pitching staff today, sending starter Daniel Cabrera and reliever Sendy Rleal to AAA Ottawa. Up in their places are Adam Loewen and Eddy Rodriguez. Second half, same agony: O's lose, 15-1 - 7/13/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles, hoping to start the second half of the season on an up note, instead suffered about as embarrassing a loss as possible, getting pummeled by the Texas Rangers, 15-1. Believe it or not, this was actually a tie game until the sixth, when it all came crashing down quicker than you can say, “When does football season start?” The Rangers torched a demoralized Daniel Cabrera and three relievers (including cannon fodder Bruce Chen) for 14 runs in the last four innings, as Maryland native Mark Teixeira walloped three homeruns and drove in seven in sending the Birds to their 50th loss of the year. The O’s apparently enjoyed the All-Star break so much that they elected not to show up for work tonight. Scouting Frederick - 7/13/2006 9:00:00 PM - Pente Tony finds three pitchers who can reach the high 90's at Frederick and gives his thoughts on a Nolan Reimold. Shorebirds First Half Report Part 2 - 7/12/2006 1:00:00 AM - Shorebird Docs first half player impressions and an interview with pitching coach Kennie Steenstra. Shorebirds First Half Report Part 1 - 7/12/2006 1:00:00 AM - Shorebird A year ago, we were clamoring for the second half to start so that we could get new players and a fresh start. This year, we were thankful for the All-Star break just so we could catch our breath. Gomez Returns - 7/10/2006 9:00:00 AM - Domen O's close out first half with 5-4 win - 7/9/2006 6:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles headed into the All-Star break on an up note, notching a win over the Indians in the rubber game, 5-4. This wasn’t exactly a game straight out of Tom Emansky’s Instructional Videos, as both teams made numerous mistakes and sloppy play dominated the day. Rodrigo Lopez saw an otherwise strong outing undone when his defense betrayed him, with critical O’s misplays opening the door for a four-run Indians second. Yet, it was Cleveland that threw the game away, blowing a three-run lead with wild pitches, passed balls, and other assorted late-inning hijinks. The Birds’ bullpen restored order with four scoreless innings, including a five-out save by Chris Ray, and Javy Lopez (pic) contributed three hits and a homer. The Orioles head into their three-day hiatus with a 41-49 record. Orioles need to change their ways - 7/9/2006 12:00:00 PM - Pente 7/9 - The O's need to change their ways and take on risk if they are to break out of mediocrity. Bedard plays stopper, O's win, 7-4 - 7/8/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles finally recorded a much-needed victory, snapping their four-game losing streak with a 7-4 win over the Indians. The freefalling O’s found temporary salvation behind their newfound ace, Erik Bedard, who notched his 10th win of the year with a strong if not overpowering performance. Meanwhile, the Birds’ offense finally put up a competent performance against a left-handed pitcher, hammering rookie Jeremy Sowers for seven runs in four innings to jump out to a huge early lead. Things got tense when a late-inning Indians rally brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but Chris Ray successfully shut the door and chased away the Orioles’ frustrations for at least one night. Cleveland rocks Orioles in 9-0 debacle - 7/7/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles continued their full-blown meltdown by humiliating themselves in Cleveland, dropping the opener of a three-game series with the Indians, 9-0. What’s left to say at this point? All the usual ingredients were present for the shameful O’s. An abysmal starting pitching performance: check (Kris Benson: seven runs in three innings). A nonexistent offense: check (shut out for the fifth time this year). Atrocious, almost comical defense: check (at one point, Orioles outfielders were literally tripping over each other). And one of the most lackadaisical, apathetic efforts of the year from the team: big check (even the normally mild-mannered Sam Perlozzo looked embarrassed by his team’s indifferent lollygagging). With the loss, the Birds fell to a season-worst 10 games under .500. O's lose slugfest and series to ChiSox - 7/6/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles came up on the short end of an 11-8 slugfest in Chicago, completing a series loss to the White Sox. One night after the Birds’ bats failed them late, they finally got the offense working just in time to make no difference whatsoever. Russ Ortiz’s second outing as an Oriole was just as lousy as the first, as he coughed up a pair of homeruns to Jim Thome-- including a grand slam-- to blow an early three-run lead. An awful relief appearance by Todd Williams (pic)-- who coughed up another two roundtrippers-- sealed the team’s fate. After the first game of the series, the O’s were utterly outmanned, outclassed, outplayed, overmatched, and overwhelmed by the defending World Series champions. Matos DFAed - 7/6/2006 1:00:00 PM - Pente 7/6 - Luis Matos was designated for assignment today by the Orioles. Birds blow late rallies, fall to Sox, 4-2 - 7/5/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles dropped another one to the White Sox, suffering through a brutal beginning and a heartbreaking finish in a 4-2 loss. Daniel Cabrera’s (pic) Jekyll-and-Hyde routine was worked into overdrive, as he melted down amidst a 10-batter, four-run Sox first inning-- and then held them scoreless for the rest of the night. In the meantime, the Birds’ offense gave a whole new meaning to the term “unclutch,” blowing two golden opportunities to get back into the game. The O’s put two runners in scoring position with nobody out in both the eighth and ninth…and inexplicably came up empty each time, failing to close the two-run gap. In the end, the bitter defeat leaves the Birds a half game away from last place. O's suffer Fourth of July blowup, 13-0 - 7/4/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer Sung to the tune of America the Beautiful: O’s pitiful this fateful game, this somber day of pain. Their horrible futility became the White Sox’ gain. A mockery! A mockery! God help us, set us free. And end this Independence Day 13-zip travesty. O's trump defending champions, 8-1 - 7/3/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles breezed into the Windy City with a decisive 8-1 win over the Chicago White Sox to open a four-game series. For once, every single break and bounce seemed to go the Birds’ way, from disputed but favorable umpire’s calls, to broken-bat bloopers that fell in safely, to uncharacteristic atrocious defense by the defending World Series champions. The happy circumstances all added up to an eight-run middle-inning O’s onslaught. Erik Bedard, meanwhile, didn’t need any lucky breaks-- he was downright filthy for the fourth consecutive game, holding the powerful Sox offense to a meager two hits amidst eight dominant innings, getting a sure-to-be-tough series started on the right note. O's close interleague with 10-3 disaster - 7/2/2006 5:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles erred and stumbled through a lifeless, somnambulant 10-3 loss in the rubber game against the Braves. Pretty much nothing went right for the Orioles today, from another futile offensive performance against a lefty (scoring just three against Horacio Ramirez) to an ugly Kris Benson start (six earned in five innings) to familiar shoddy defense (two errors and other misplays) to a disastrous Sendy Rleal outing (a four-run eighth) that put the game out of reach. Long story short, it was a presentation quite fitting of a 38-45 team. With the loss, the O’s finish their ’06 interleague slate with a 9-9 mark. O's offense overcomes Ortiz outing, 7-4 - 7/1/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles opened the month of July with a total team effort, getting contributions from every source in a 7-4 win over the Braves. Six different O’s had multi-hit performances in the offense’s 17-knock onslaught, with four from Nick Markakis (pic) and three by Brian Roberts, as the club finally got the better of usual Oriole-killer Tim Hudson. In the meantime, Russ Ortiz’s Birds debut was far more notable for his batting acumen-- with a pair of RBI singles and a walk-- than his mound performance, where he was hit hard and failed to get out of the fifth. But a tag team of four relievers covered the final 4 2/3 innings, allowing just one run, to make Baltimore’s early lead stand up. O's reach midway point with 5-3 loss - 6/30/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles reached the 81-game mark with yet another loss, dropping the opener of a three-game series, 5-3, to the Atlanta Braves. While the Braves jumped out early, the Birds’ bats were again held frustratingly silent by a left-handed pitcher, getting shut out for five innings before back-to-back homers by Jeff Conine and Corey Patterson tied the game in the sixth. The deadlock didn’t last long, however, as relievers Kurt Birkins (pic) and Todd Williams coughed up a two-run Braves rally in the bottom half that swung the tide and decided the game. The O’s fell back to seven games under .500 as they reached the midpoint of their season schedule, and also completed a 12-16 month of June. Bats suddenly silent, O's shut out, 4-0 - 6/29/2006 11:00:00 PM - Folkemer The Orioles continued their frustrating Jekyll-and-Hyde act with a disappointing 4-0 loss to the Phillies to end a nine-game homestand. For the third time in two weeks, the O’s were denied a series sweep in the final game, as an offense that churned out an incredible 20 hits the previous night went suddenly and aggravatingly silent. Ryan Madson dominated the Birds for 8 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing just five hits-- all singles-- and closer Tom Gordon got one out to complete the Birds’ third shutout loss. Rodrigo Lopez (pic) was the unlucky recipient of the nonexistent run support, spoiling a solid outing. After this 5-4 homestand, the Orioles now embark on a 10-game road trip that will carry them to the All-Star break.